Wood Lake Battlefield Symposium set for September 22

The Wood Lake Battlefield Preservation Association (WLBPA) will hold their 7th annual Symposium at the Kilowatt Community Center in Granite Falls on Saturday, September 22 beginning at 10 a.m. registration will be open at 9:30 that morning. The morning program features two speakers, each telling the story of their ances...

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Granite Falls Advocate Tribune

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Posted Sep. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

Posted Sep. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

The Wood Lake Battlefield Preservation Association (WLBPA) will hold their 7th annual Symposium at the Kilowatt Community Center in Granite Falls on Saturday, September 22 beginning at 10 a.m. registration will be open at 9:30 that morning.

The morning program features two speakers, each telling the story of their ancestor's experience during the U.S./Dakota War. Dr. Elden Lawrence will tell about his Dakota great, great grandfather, Lorenzo, who rescued over thirty people during the war and Laurie Ottman will talk about her great, great grandmother, Madeline Robideaux, who had been lead to safety by Lorenzo.

Following lunch, buses will take the group to the battle site for a dedication of the newly acquired 54 acre pasture land. This addition, combined with the nearby monument site, will provide public access for a more complete interpretation of where much of the battle occurred.

Property owners Muriel and John Coulter, Senator Lyle Koenen, Minnesota State Representative Dean Urdahl, and Minnesota Historical Society Deputy Director, Pat Gaarder will be among those taking part in the dedication. Following the program there will be an opportunity to visit 4 interpretive stations on the battlefield. Total walking distance to visit all of the stations will be approximately 5/8 mile on mowed grass trails.

The day will end with a brief ceremony at the Monument site and the bus ride back to the Kilowatt Community Center in Granite Falls. The cost for the day is $35 for adults and $20 for students. This fee includes morning treats, lunch and the bus trip. Registration forms can be found on the association website, http://www.woodlakebattlefield.com/, or send a check with your name, address and phone number to WLBPA, 4210 57th Street, Rochester, Minnesota 55901.

Registration deadline is September 17. If you have questions call Tom Hosier at 507-280-9970.